Unit 2

Prime Meridian

0° longitude. Meridians east of the prime meridian are known as east longitude. Meridians west of the prime meridian are known as West longitude. The 180° Meridian on the opposite side of the earth is called the international dateline.

Physical maps

A physical map shows the location and the topography or shape of the earth's physical features.

Political map

A political map shows the boundaries and locations of political units such as countries, states, counties, cities, and towns.

longitude

Also known as meridians, circle the earth from pole to pole. These lines measure distance east or west of the prime meridian at 0° longitude.

latitude

Also known as parallels, circle the earth parallel to the equator and measure the distance north or south of the equator in degrees

Equator

An imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both polls dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0°

Non-subject area

Areas surrounding the subject area of the map are usually a different color to set them apart. They are labeled to give you a context for the area you are studying.

absolute location

Everyplace has a global address. You can identify the absolute location of a place by naming the latitude and longitude lines that cross exactly at that place

Thematic maps

Maps that emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area. Example maps that show climate, natural vegetation, population density, and economic activities.

Flow-line maps

Maps that illustrate the movement of people, animals, goods, and ideas, as well as physical processes like hurricanes and glaciers. Arrows are usually used to represent the flow and direction of movement.

Qualitative maps

Maps that use colors, symbols, lines, or dots to show information related to a specific idea. Such as maps to depict historical information.

Landforms

Physical maps may show landforms such as mountains, plains, plateaus, and valleys.

Water features

Physical maps show rivers, streams, lakes, and other water features.

Relief and elevation

Physical maps use shading and texture to show general relief- the difference in elevation, or height, of landforms. And elevation key uses colors to indicate specific measure differences in elevation above sea level

Physical features

Relief, rivers, and mountains.

International date line

The 180° Meridian on the opposite side of the earth is called the international dateline

Hemispheres N/S

The equator divides the earth into northern and southern hemisphere. Everything north of the equator is in the northern hemisphere. Everything south of the equator is in the southern hemisphere.

Map Key

The key lists and explains the symbols, colors, and lines used on the map. The key is sometimes called a legend

Hemispheres E/W

The prime meridian and the international dateline divide the earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres. Everything east of the prime merdian for 180° is in the eastern hemisphere. Everything west of the prime meridian for 180° is in the Western Hemisphere.

Map Scale

The scale bar shows the relationship between map measurements and actual distance on the earth.

Topography

The shape of the earth's physical features

Map Title

The title tells you what kind of information the map is showing

Relative location

To locate a place in relation to other places. For example, New Orleans is located near the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Human made features

Determined by humans rather than by nature, such as boundaries, capitals, cities, roads, highways, and railroads.